Suede & Nubuck Bags

Soft, velvety suede and nubuck leather bags, from a micro drawstring bag for a phone to roomy shoulder totes. Most suede pieces are cowhide; nubuck and split suede are labelled on each bag.

Suede, nubuck and split suede

All three have a soft, brushed surface, but they come from different parts of the hide. Suede is the inner side of the leather, brushed up into a nap. Nubuck is the outer grain side, lightly sanded so it feels like velvet and is a little denser. Split suede is cut from the lower layer of a thicker hide and is lighter and more flexible. Each product title says which one the bag is made from.

Shapes and sizes

The bags here run from about 5 to 14 inches wide. The smaller styles, including crossbody bags, bucket bags and a micro drawstring bag, come with an adjustable or detachable strap so they can be worn across the body. The larger shoulder totes and the top-handle bag are carried on the shoulder or by hand. Each product page lists the dimensions, the strap type and what fits, worked out from the interior size.

Living with suede

Suede and nubuck mark more easily than smooth leather and darken when wet, which is part of how they age. Brush the nap with a soft suede brush after wear, let the bag dry naturally away from heat if it gets damp, and store it stuffed with tissue paper in a dust bag.

Questions

What is the difference between suede and nubuck?

Suede is made from the inner side of the hide and brushed into a soft nap. Nubuck is the outer grain side, sanded lightly, so it is a little firmer and more even. Both feel velvety; the product title says which one each bag uses.

What is split suede?

Suede cut from the lower layer of a hide that has been split into two. It is genuine leather, lighter and softer than full-thickness leather, and is labelled Split Suede in the title.

Can suede bags get wet?

Light rain will not ruin them, but water darkens the nap and can leave marks. Blot it, let the bag dry at room temperature away from heaters, then brush the nap back up. Avoid wearing suede in heavy rain.

Which suede bags can be worn crossbody?

The crossbody bags, the bucket bags, the micro drawstring bag and the split suede tote have a strap long enough to wear across the body. The larger shoulder totes and the top-handle bag are shoulder-only; the product page lists the strap.